RobertIlaria

Robert Ilaria, 88, of Clifton, N.J., passed away peacefully at home on Friday morning, Jan. 18, 2013. Visitation will be private by the request of the family. A Funeral Mass will be offered on Monday at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Pompeii Church, 70 Murray Ave., Paterson, N.J. Private cremation will follow. For more information and online memorial, please visit www.santangelofuneral.com. Bob was born and raised in Newark, N.J. He joined the U.S. Navy Armed Guard, where he served on the ship S.S. John W. Brown in the European and Pacific theaters from 1943 to 1946. He received the Distinguished Service Medal from New Jersey. Prior to serving in the U.S. Navy, Bob was a baseball player/catcher and was drafted by three major league baseball teams. He was a much-loved friend and colleague at Riefolo Construction in Belleville, N.J., where he was an estimator for many years. Bob was an avid golfer who spent many happy days golfing with his friends. He also enjoyed playing handball at the YMCA. Most of all, Bob loved his family and was a hero in his daughters' eyes. He was a kind, beautiful soul and will forever be in the hearts of his family and many friends he made during his lifetime. Bob is survived by his wife of 53 years, Dolores; daughter, Robin Farnese and her husband, Joseph; daughter, Randy Mitchell, and husband, John; daughter, Renee Woods, and her husband, Michael, and five cherished granddaughters, Nicole, Jacqueline, Alexa, Daniella, and Alexandra.